The Invasion of the Six Year Olds!

Last Friday Bella had about 30 of her closest friends over to celebrate her 6th birthday. They all seemed to arrive at once, whereupon I had visions of "Daddy Daycare" type scenes, with kids throwing vases, jumping on chairs and other heart-attack inducing scenarios. Fortunately for me mum, with best teacher's voice at the ready, organised them for a round of games, including pass the parcel and rob the nest.

To my great amazement (and joy!) Warren came home at 3 and stayed for the entire party, providing parents with cappuccinos and ready to distract Rohan when he decided that this invasion of his home was quite enough!

Of course with that many guests, there were at least that many presents, so my next task is to reorganise her room to accommodate this vast array of Barbies, books, art supplies, clothes, Polly Pockets, makeup and jewellery and the like. Ikea, here I come!

After all the kids had left ("They came and went like a summer storm!" commented Mum) we collapsed into the nearest chairs, and after observing the damage (not bad at all) proceeded to say there for the next few hours! Thank goodness the next one is not until February...

Getting ready to play rob the nest

Mum had them all organised!

Of course, the boys had to get some "birthday presents" too (thanks Aunty Sherryl!)

A rare family shot!

Sam had a sneaky taste of cake

I guess the next step is updating everyone on what is the latest with the Polleys. I'll try and keep it brief!

• Warren is still working for his Dad at Polleys Coaches. Although he is still enormously busy and working too many hours, he has hired some admin staff recently that have been a real blessing and help to him, and in turn me! He has recovered well from his accident, although he still gets bad headaches, caused by too much stress and not enough sleep. He is also heading up the pastoral search committee at our church, as our pastor has taken up a position in another town.


• Isabella is now in prep at Cooloola Christian College and is loving it. She loves to read and write and continues to excel in her drawing. She amazes us with her maturity and insights, ("Well if you don't want to be tired, Mum, you shouldn't have children!"). At 5 (nearly 6!) she is a great help to me with the other three, although at times you can hear, "But Mum I don't want to be your help-girl anymore!" being uttered in our house.


• Rohan has recently been diagnosed with Autism, after nearly two years of various specialists and a myriad of tests. What a relief to actually put a name to it! His speech is slowly improving, and with the aid of Disability Services Qld (speechie, OT, psychologist) we are coming up with strategies to help him not only improve his communication but also cope with the confusing world around him. We have recently started a sticker/rewards chart and he is responding really well to it. He has really grown in maturity lately, which has been a blessing as well as a relief for me, as he is now a lot easier to handle. He goes to kindy 2 days a week and ECDC (like a special-needs kindy) 2 mornings a week, where he has made some special friends.


• Jordan has just turned 3 and is my little mate. He is longing to start kindy but will have to wait until next year when a place opens up. Although his speech has been a little slow to develop too, he is a happy boy, and loves nothing better than helping his dad fix things (and reorganising Dad's tools!) and riding his new bike.


• Samuel is now 8 months old, and never a bigger mummy's boy have you ever seen. He would like nothing better than to cuddle with me all day - and eat! He is a happy and easygoing baby (thank you Lord!) and is now pulling himself up and getting into all sorts of mischief. Yesterday I found him standing up against a pot plant, happily munching on some potting mix. Yum!


• As for me, I don't really know what to say. I'm busy, busy, busy with 4 children. Having 4 kids 5 and under is a challenge but I wouldn't change it. I have the best husband in the world - after 13 years together I still count the minutes until I get to see him again. I do some advertising and other print work for Polleys Coaches, just so I get to use my brain once in a while, and co-ordinate the Prayer Friends ministry in our church. And I can't think of anything else to say!

So that's us at this moment. Who knows what the Lord has in store for us? Whatever it is, exciting or tragic, may He be glorified in all of it!

Here Goes Nothing!

Well, this is my first "blog". I've never "blogged" before, nor did I think that I would ever "blog". So here goes...

I have never been under the impression that anyone would be interested in the happenings of our family - not interested enough to read about it, anyhow. However after stumbling across a blog belonging to an old friend (hello Naomi!), I realised how great it would be for myself to be able to look back on the times and trials of our tribe. There has been some great times ("We're pregnant!"), some unexpected times ("We're pregnant again?!"), and some heart-stopping times (getting hit by a truck, anyone?). However when we remember these events we can see that thoughout it all the Lord's hand has been evident, guiding, protecting and comforting us. As Psalm 63:8 says, "My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me."

So as I sit here with a wriggly 3 year old on my lap, whinging because he wants to watch Donald Duck on YouTube, I am promising to try to keep this updated regularly. And if anyone at all reads this - thankyou. Maybe we are a little more interesting that I thought :).